The sharp edge of a razor is hard to pass over;
thus the wise say the path to Salvation is hard.
Katha-Upanishad
What is your interpretation of the Upanishad epigram on the preface page, and how do you think it will apply to this novel?
How might it apply to your own life?
The Rhine River
view of the river from the Rhine valley
The City Crest of Bonn
A Church in Bonn
Larry's German Foray
Greg
This is how I see Gregory Brabazon
Auguste Cottet
La Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF)
.JPG)
Larry went to the BNF to do his philosophical reading
William James' Principles of Psychologoy
Painting by Claude Lorraine
Elliott had art by Lorraine in his Paris apartment.
Sorbonne
Waterloo Bridge
A Monet painting from 1920.
Picasso Painting During 1920s
La Mitrailleuse
Another Painting by Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson
William James
Author of Principles of Psychology
Somerset Maugham
At his house, surrounded by his work
Botticelli Self-Portrait
Elliott's Rendering of Larry?
La Seine
Dawn in the Latin Quarter
Latin Quarter
Sentient Gargoyle
16 comments:
Everyone must journey over a sharp edge in order to reach salvation. There is a price, a sacrifice to pay for enlightenment.
I think that the book is going to be about a long and hard journey to salvation.... alot like trying to move over a sharp blade-- you may cut yourself along the way. I think it applies to your own life in the same way-- your own path to slavation may deal with lots of pain as well... yet its up to you to decide whether or not the "journey" is worth it.
Upanishad says that the path to salvation is difficult, and is like slipping your finger over the sharp edge of a razor. It is difficult to stick with it and follow through with your action, similar to walking down the path to salvation.
I think that it must have something to do with a character finding oneself, and jumping through hoops in order to do so. It must not be easy for this person to do so, maybe because other characters in the book serve as obstacles in his path.
~RIKA
The interesting part to me about this quote is the idea that as we live our lives, we may be perched on the edge of a razor without even knowing it--or, we may at least be approaching that edge without even knowing it. But the quote also implies that in order to gain salvation, we have to pass over that razor's edge--and who wants to do that? So...I'm figuring this book is about that path...the path to salvation....
I think that the novel will obviously be about some kind of hardship, but that's what life is all about. You have to go through a lot of hard work in order to get what you want.
It applies to my life, jus like it does everyone elses. Nothing comes for free or easy. And when stuff comes easy, its too good to be true, feel me?
I guess in high school, most kids only go through the hardships of going through school. but after that when we get a job and start living on our own, the hardships are a lot more numerous. But you gotta go through the hard stuff in order to get what you want or go where you want.
~Ro
Nothing worth while is ever easy to obtain, and that is what I think this quote is trying to say. The quote is applicable to the novel in the sence that certain characters who may be in search of Salvation will have to first over-come difficult times.
Life is full of sharp edges that prevent your pasasge and thus Salvation is near impossible to achieve. I stronly agree with this quote see life full of sharp edges waiting to bring you down. Thus, we must be particularly carefully for these razors that life throughs at us.
Hunter Johnson
no, i love you mr ross
People are full of desires. Desire to do anything and everything. In or der to follow the path of Salvation, you must have the power to reject the internal desires. If you succumb to your desires even once, life the sharp edge of a razor, it will cut you, and scar you. A perminant scar that will cost you your salvation.
In the novel razor's edge, the character maybe faced with a dillema between the desire and salvation, or something to that affect. I believe we are faced with this decision everyday, and often the desire thwarts us from attaining something as pure as salvation. Sarah Kim
Nothing worth while is ever easy to obtain, and that is what I think this quote is trying to say. The quote is applicable to the novel in the sence that certain characters who may be in search of Salvation will have to first over-come difficult times.
This is true for all people including myself. Everyone goes through difficult times. For every bad thing that happens to a person, there is a something good that follows.
-Rachel
Throughout our lives we go through a series of tests, a journey if you will. There are always obstacles we will have to overcome, and we must always be willing to make that sacrifice.
-Hirsch
My interpretation of Upanishad's epigram is that there are many obstacles one must face when pursuing “truth and meaning”.
When you know that rough terrain lies ahead, it is hard for one to gather enough courage to face it head on. I believe that this book is about a man's long journey, facing all obstacles to recieve Salvation.
~Fortier
This Upanishad epigram is obviously an important prelude to the novel. I beleive that these words are telling us that the trials and problems characters will face will test them, as does "the path to Salvation".
In our lives, I think that this quote is reminding us of the harsh paths one can follow to find something of meaning. Whether it is "salvation" as the Upanishad quote says or somehting more physical, you must work for it, not just sit and watch life.
~Ben
In order to stay at the top of your game, you must walk a fine line. Something as fine as the edge of a razor is a metaphor used to describe how difficult it was to be socially respected and also have respect for your own personal identity. Larry is working on the indentity and self-respect side of the razor and others such as Isabelle are comforatable with their social standing but need to look inward to balance on the edge of the razor. Elliott, it seems has successfully mastered the art of walking the finest of lines - but, all in a moments notice one can fall off of the steep side of the razor's edge...
T-money
Mr. Ross said: "The sharp edge of a razor is hard to pass over;
thus the wise say the path to Salvation is hard. Katha-Upanishad
What is your interpretation of the Upanishad epigram on the preface page, and how do you think it will apply to this novel?
How might it apply to your own life?"
Well, for one, a dull blade cuts easier than a sharp one because it has more ‘slip’.
This reminds me of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials Trilogy. There was a quote at the beginning of the book, a sort of preface, and it was a quote from Milton’s Paradise Lost, in which he uses the statement ‘his dark materials’. So, as mundane as it is, the quote could simply be there because it matches the book title.
However, Pullman was also heavily influenced by Milton, and therefore, it could be the same with 888. But enough of that.
I think, right now, Larry’s life is on the razor’s edge. He could easily tip and fall either way. Though for good or bad, I’m not quite sure. If he manages to stay on it, then he can follow the path of salvation. It’s hard to walk a fine line, no matter what the rewards. I believe that by managing to stay on the razor (find the meaning in his life, and discover who he is) he can make it. Falling, in either direction could be bad, and appears to lead to self destruction.
It already applies to my life, and I believe to everyone else’s, ESPICALLY at this time. We are all off on our way to college, and therefore partaking on our journey of self discovery and walking on the razor’s edge.
Oops. I forgot to put my name. The comment above that starts with
"Well, for one, a dull blade cuts easier than a sharp one because it has more ‘slip’. "
is mine.
-L. Adams
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